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After getting acquainted with some of Chicago’s college fashion masterminds, finding myself in fashion-forward environments and wandering into boutique jewels, Marc Jacobs sums up the past year best: “One thing that is exciting about fashion is the surprise element. People don’t know what they want. They just know when they see it.”

As a first semester Style Guru, I’m so grateful to be able to finally share these unpredictable happenings and truly authentic individuals in my AROUND TOWN column! My name is Bianca Smith and I am a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago. I am studying Journalism with a concentration in Magazine Design & Editing and I plan to minor in Fashion Business.

One of the most beautiful components of being a Fashionista and a student in Chicago is the style diversity around every corner. Style has such a different definition from one student, show and store to the next; it has been so humbling to see how fashion can create or help shape one’s material manifesto.

I have always had an interest in expressing myself through my apparel, but boy has that expression fluctuated over time! Since moving from the suburbs of Chicago into the heart of it all, my journalistic tendencies have had an influence on my style. Finding the perfect balance of cohesion, comfort, unlikeness and professionalism is the goal in the morning, and with so much inspiration to draw from, piecing together that puzzle isn’t too exhausting.

A few pieces I hold near and dear to my heart start with my Victorian-printed Vigoss straight-leg jeans. They’re extremely comfortable which is key when walking around the city every day. Next is my Classic Q Ukita bag by Marc Jacobs; his aesthetic is not only simple and timeless, but conveniently pocketed for my writer’s notebook, recorder, CTA pass, random lipsticks, pony-tail holders, umbrella…uh, I really should clean out my bag. Lastly, a more recent addition to my group of favorites is my felt wide-brim hat from Urban Outfitters. If I forget my sunglasses or have a bad hair-day, this baby saves me from a ton of frustration and adds an extra element to my outfit.

When it comes down to the core of it, fashion is ever evolving and consequentially always lively. I cannot wait to document that growth around Chicago all the while rockin’ a white T-shirt, cuffed jeans and a stuffed purse!